How MLS is creating superstars for South American soccer

Soccer is a global game; the United States' Major League Soccer stepping up acts as a nursery for talent destined for the most competitive South American leagues. Lately, we have seen quite a number of players shine in MLS before crossing the continent and making an impact on the Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, with the absolutely prestigious jerseys of top Brazilian clubs. It's almost as if the American league were some sort of laboratory in which this raw talent is molded, polished, and then exported to big arenas across the expanse of world soccer.

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Now, such a shift, once unlikely, has turned into fact and is metamorphosing the very face of Brazilian soccer. Big clubs like Botafogo and Cruzeiro are making good money on the bounty of all efforts through successful runs in continental competitions.

Botafogo and the Three Musketeers from MLS

At the top of the table in the Brazilian Championship, commandingly so, Botafogo isn't at just the head because of its brilliant campaign but especially due to the excellent showing in the Copa Libertadores. For this to have happened, it wasn't only because three players from MLS brought much-needed experience and class. Today, they're key to Glorioso's long-awaited pursuit of the title that has eluded General Severiano for such a long time.

First, Jefferson Savarino, the number 10 that has turned into the tactical linchpin of Artur Jorge. Savarino had shone with Real Salt Lake between 2022 and 2023, scoring 24 goals and making 14 assists in the US. His versatility is his greatest virtue at Botafogo. He plays both in either wing and in a more central role, always ready to create or finish plays. His goal and assist that sealed Botafogo's place in the Libertadores are perfect symbols of how important the Venezuelan is to the team.

Then there's Thiago Almada, who signed for a record fee in Brazilian soccer. Almada is showing his worth for that money. After tearing up Atlanta United and featuring in Argentina's World Cup-winning side, Almada made the move to Botafogo with the remit of being the team's brain, dictating play, creating opportunities, and hitting them from range. There is no denying the talent of Almada, but in what is still an adaptation process to Brazilian soccer, he has been a fixture in this Libertadores lineup.

Lastly, Botafogo fields Gregore, formerly of Inter Miami, as an anchor in midfield. He has been cemented inside Botafogo's starting eleven due to his tenacity and sharp game-reading. In his last year with the Herons, he was useful in the Libertadores and had an injury, but playing with figures like Lionel Messi put him through an academy of vision and the ability to launch attacks—skills he now brings to Botafogo's quest for silverware.

Cruzeiro and the MLS-Inspired New Generation

Cruzeiro is another example of these MLS success stories. The Minas Gerais club, fighting to regain its former glory after years of difficulty, has also been assisted by this new crop of players groomed or firmed up in the American league.

One of the standouts is Álvaro Barreal, who is loaned out from FC Cincinnati. Quiet at first, Barreal began to make a name for himself in American soccer as a player with speed, creativity, and a really good sense of decision-making in the final third. It was precisely those qualities that called out to Cruzeiro, who saw in him the possibility of becoming a fundamental element in their rebuilding phase. Today, Barreal is what keeps Cruzeiro's midfield moving, pushing the team to fundamental victories like giant-slaying—that of Boca Juniors in the Copa Sudamericana. The Argentine became a key player in the resurgence of La Bestia Negra.

MLS as a Talent Incubator

But what's behind the success of MLS players in Brazilian soccer? The answer might lie in the development of the American league itself. Recently, MLS has transformed from being only a haven for aging stars to a real incubator for talent, investing in promising youngsters and offering a top-tier professional environment.

Also, there is the cultural and tactical diversity of the United States, a country that hosts athletes and coaches from all corners of the globe, thus creating a competitive and varied environment. This means, therefore, that players leaving for Europe out of MLS have this cocktail of influences, which makes them more rounded and able to adapt to varying styles of play.

These players face an individual style of soccer in Brazil, where improvisation and individual skill are highly regarded. That blend of experiences won in MLS with the Brazilian game results in players who can make a quick mark, adding value to their teams.

Undoubtedly, the dynamic is very different due to the presence of MLS alumni in Brazilian clubs. They bring along a different attitude, built within the framework of a competitive and multicultural environment, and they add it into the vibrant style of Brazilian soccer. The success Savarino, Almada, Gregore, and Barreal had did not occur by chance but was the result of a gamble—calculated risks—on talents whose time to shine had finally come on Brazilian soil.

The more MLS keeps growing and becoming an important part of the global arena, the more we will see players making the reverse journey to leave the United States and conquer South America. And surely, Brazilian soccer will benefit from such an exchange of experiences.